THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Will Notini (MAPSS ’14)
Will Notini (AM’14) completed his Bachelor’s degree at New York University, where he concentrated in Sociolinguistics. His academic journey led him to the University of Chicago’s Master of Arts Program in the Social Sciences (MAPSS), where he initially aimed for a PhD. However, during his time in the program, Will discovered a passion for applied research that would ultimately reshape his career trajectory. After graduating, he spent five years in market research within the restaurant industry before transitioning into design research and starting an MBA. He notes the MAPSS degree has been foundational to his work. “The MAPSS degree gives you credibility because of its solid reputation for providing a strong grounding in the fundamentals of social science, which are essential for modern design methodologies,” he says.
Will describes his current role in design research as creating a user-centered approach to creating new products and services. “I stumbled upon human-centered design while trying to establish qualitative research at my previous job,” he explains. This realization motivated him to pivot his career, allowing him to integrate social science fundamentals with practical application in a field that felt deeply meaningful to him.
Will notes that he has uses the skills and knowledge he learned in MAPSS extensively in his current role. The focus on understanding various approaches within the social sciences, and their utility, has been crucial. “In my day-to-day work, this means creating flexible and creative research plans,” he says. “When I receive a design brief, I have to decide whether interviews or another method will provide the most insightful and useful information.” He credits the MAPSS program with teaching him to learn from all the social sciences, not just an individual discipline.
Since graduating, has maintained strong connections with his MAPSS cohort, recognizing the program as a valuable networking opportunity. He actively participates in the Alumni Association, collaborating with fellow graduates and even recruiting from the program. When speaking with students, Will emphasizes the importance of trying new things during their time in the program. “See the various ways people are using their degrees both inside and outside academia,” he says. “Don’t come in with a rigid idea of what you want to do.”